Page:Four Plays of Aeschylus (Cookson).djvu/49

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An unlifted, leaden burden.

But these kin have not rejected

Claim of kin: they have respected

Suppliants at Zeus' holy seat.

Therefore they shall have their guerdon,

Altars no pollution spotteth,

To the Gods of Heaven sweet.

Forth, thou bird of plume more fair;

From the mouth's dark covert break,

Emulous and eager prayer;

All prayers else do thou o'ertake.

Never pestilence nor dearth

Empty Argos of her men:

Nor civil tumult stain this earth

With blood of fallen brethren.

Youth be here an unplucked flower;

And Ares, who makes men to mourn,

Though lord of Aphrodite's bower,

That comely blossom leave unshorn.

And, where ancient men convene,

Let there not want within these walls

Bearded benchers of grave mien

Throned in old Cyclopian stalls.

So may wise laws and well-obeyed

Order all things in the land,

Long as reverence is paid

To Zeus, and chiefly Him whose hand